They say every dog has its day. Tuesday was Oscar’s. A grand birthday party, complete with cake and other delicacies, was organised for the stray dog at Loyabad in Dhanbad with over 300 guests in attendance.

The unique birthday celebration was hosted by Sumitra Kumari, an online educator, who had sent invitation cards to the guests.

“I have developed an emotional bond with Oscar whom I found injured and frightened near a fuel refill outlet at Matkuria in Dhanbad on November 29 last year.

“He was found trembling near the bodies of her mother and three-four puppies who were run over by a bike a few hours back.

“I brought the puppy home and nursed him as my own child, with regular visits to the vet till he became healthy,” said Sumitra, who stays with her mother and four brothers at their ancestral house in Loyabad where the event was organised.

The birthday idea was conceived by Sumitra who was supported by her family members.

“The dog was named Oscar by my brothers. He sleeps and eats with me. Initially, we had planned the celebration at the same petrol pump from where I had found her, but we did not get permission from the authorities,” Sumitra said.

She got 300 invitation cards printed within a week and distributed them among relatives and friends besides the staff of the fuel refill station.

“I wanted to show the fuel refill outlet staff that the dog whom I rescued is safe and healthy. In a way it was a small attempt to spread a message of compassion for stray dogs who are dependent on human beings,” Sumitra added. Sumitra spends over Rs 400 daily on Oscar who is fed milk, paneer, chicken/mutton and sweets.